Australia is at a turning point. While global competitors race ahead in AI adoption, too many of our industrial businesses—especially SMEs—are stuck on the sidelines. Yet the opportunity is enormous: responsible use of AI and automation could add $115 billion to our GDP annually by 2030.

Today, I’ll share how we can drive Australia’s much needed productivity transformation—building next-gen AI-enabled enterprises, commercialising R&D and building globally competitive investible companies. This is not just about technology; it’s about national competitiveness, sovereign capability, and a future where Australian industry leads, not lags, in the AI age.

Key Learnings

1. Australia’s industrial transformation is a national challenge, not a niche opportunity – Strategic coordination, investment, and global supply chain integration are critical to securing Australia’s industrial future.

2. AI is essential for enterprise competitiveness – It enables businesses, including small and mid-sized businesses, to compete on a global scale; without it, they risk being left behind.

3. Robotics is the next frontier of industrial transformation – Australia must act now to position itself in the global Generative AI-enabled automation wave.